Anybody kite down at Monterey?

[kingfisher]

I'm going down there this weekend and was thinking of bring my gear. Thanks

[Loscocco]

https://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/vie ... lit=pebble

[maxsteamer]

Kingfisher,

I used to live in "La Selva Beach" and I have surfed all over Monterey, Carmel, Big Sur, there are a few kiting sites down there? the wind is very sketthy and unpredictable this time of the year, if you bring your gear you could get lucky at "Marina State Beach" if you see "Caution Tape" at the entrance don't go out.. even if you see other kiters. the winds are mostly onshore so be careful launching and landing
if you meet up with a kiter named "Larry" he kites there alot and will fill you in on the do's and don't on the State Rules there.
Hope this helps.............Good Winds.....Max

[kingfisher]

Alright , thanks for the info.

[slackline]

Rather than start a completely new topic I figured I would post a reply here first. If I get nothing, I'll start a new topic then.

I just moved to the area, and I'm brand new to kiteboarding. I've purchased everything I need, but I would like to have either lessons or a kind veteran to show me the ropes. Getting up to S.F. would be difficult because of the job, so if anyone knows anyone in the Monterey area that I could hook up with that would be awesome. I've been flying a trainer for a little bit, so I'm not completely hopeless.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[More Waves Please]

Hey Slackline,

Kiting is possible around Monterey, but it's definitely not a good place to learn. When it does get windy, it's either blasting clearing winds in the Spring or really light and holey during the Summer/Fall thermals.

If there is anything that you'd call a "reliable" spot, it would be Carmel Beach. The light wind problem there is compounded by the number of tourists on the beach. It's impossible to rig up a kite without gathering a crowd. Crowds of tourists mixed with an inexperienced kiter and fickle winds is a very bad combination. Right now kiting is an interesting novelty for the locals and tourists (go find a copy of the Carmel Visitors Guide - I'm the rider on the cover), but injuring a tourist would probably shut kiting down.

There are only 3 or 4 kiters who live around Monterey. Most of us end up making the drive north for real wind. If you're thinking that it's looking windy and you might give it a go, but no one else is there, please think twice. One of the local kiters will be there if there's any chance of avoiding a 90 minute drive.

Please take the time during the Spring and early Summer to head to the Bay for some lessons. All of the Monterey kiters have 8 - 10 years of experience, so hopefully we can help you avoid a few of mistakes we made, but we're not instructors. You need real, professional lessons first. The Bay is the best and safest place to learn, but if you really don't want to drive that far, check out - http://www.sckitesurfing.com/ . Brendan Richards teaches at Waddell Creek. A BIG word of warning, though. Brendan is a good instructor, but Waddell is not even remotely a beginner's spot on most days between now and late June. You may end up spending your money getting bashed by waves instead of learning how to fly a kite.

Good luck - see you out there someday!

Brian

[WindMuch]

As noted on iKiteboarding.com:
(some of this is pretty 'Duh'...)

"To take kiteboarding lessons or not is a question that pops up all the time. The fact of the matter is there is no question. Kiteboarding lessons are a must. Here are 10 reasons why you should take kiteboarding lessons :

1) Safety
Kiteboarding is a dangerous sport. Taking lessons will familiarize you with the safety aspects of the sport and how your equipment works. Knowing this means a safer experience for yourself and those around you.

2) Jumpstart your learning experience
Why take months to learn kiteboarding when you can be up and riding in as quick as a few hours? The quickest way to get on the water is to invest in kiteboarding lessons. Kiteboarding instructors use proved teaching methods that will get you on the water in no time.

3) Save Money
A kiteboarding rig can cost anywhere from $2000 and upwards. That's a lot of money to spend if you're not sure if this sport is for you. Kiteboarding lessons could cost in the region of $150, which is cheap in comparison to spending $2000. Taking kiteboarding lessons will give you an idea of if the sport is for you or not.

4) Trash someone else's gear
The first few hours on a kite you are sure to give your kite a decent beating as you will be dropping it constantly. If you take lessons you get to use school equipment, which means you don't have to worry about dropping the kite.

5) Meet other kiteboarders
There's nothing more intimidating than starting a new sport without knowing anyone. Kiteboarding schools are a great place to meet other beginners just like you. Meet other beginners and practice kiteboarding with them once you're done with the lessons.

6) Get cheaper gear
Most kiteboarding schools have great beginners packages available to students. These packages are often way cheaper than what you will find at a normal kiteboarding shop.

7) Knowledge
You didn't think you can start kiteboarding by reading your kite manual or browsing the net did you? No book or site can replace one on one instruction. Kiteboarding lessons will teach you valuable knowledge such as how to rig your lines, how to self launch your kite, how to relaunch your kite, how to kite safely, how to go upwind, etc.

8) Learn in safe conditions
If you start by yourself you will have no idea what kind of condtions are safe to learn in. How would you know if the wind is too strong, or even how to read the wind? Your kiteboarding instructor will take you to a beginner-safe beach that will make your learning experience safe and pleasant.

9) Try out different gear
Most kiteboarding shops have a huge range of kiteboarding gear that is ready to try. Taking a kiteboarding lesson will give you the opportunity to try a wide range of gear before you buy.

10) Peace of mind
Taking kiteboarding lessons means a kiteboarding instructor is there to help when you need help. If you drop your kite or loose your board they'll be there to help."

(note: these are THEIR reasons, not mine)

Kirk out

[thma07ab]

Hi there,

Im moving to Monterey from Denmark in August and I want to bring mi gear (10+12m Royal Era). Are those size useable in that area?? I have about one years experience and can normally keep my hight and so on...
Also do people commute to other spots? Cause I probably wont be having a car (I'll be a student at MIIS).
One more thing, how thick a wetsuit would be suitable for the different times of the year??

Hope someone can help :)

Thanks in advance,

Thue